Finishing panel mounting means



Dec. 21, 1943. w HALL 2,337,239

FINISHING'PANEL MOUNTING MEANS Filed Dec. 11, 1941 INVENTOR 36 Ralph )MHafl Patented Dec. 21, 1943 FINISHING PANEL MOUNTING MEANS Ralph W. Hall, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The Randall Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 11, 1941, Serial No. 422,564

12 Claims.

This invention relates to the mounting of panels upon a supporting body to be covered or paneled.

The present application is a continuation in part, of my copending application filed May 31, 1940, hearing Serial No. 338,188, and entitled Welded ball panel fastener issued on March 10, 1942, as Patent No. 2,275,900 in Class 45/138F.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a. simple and inexpensive though effective means for the mounting of panels for upholstering or decorative purposes, wherein provision is made for repeated removal and re-application of the panel, with a minimum of effort and time expenditure.

Another object of the invention is to provide panel mounting means of the character stated, which will securely and. snugly hold a panel against a frame or article to which it is applied, leaving no loose or unsightly joints at the contact area.

A further object is the provision of cooperative mounting elements upon a panel and a door, which elements are so constructed that a group of panels, or a group of doors, may be crated and shipped for assembly at a remote destination, without liability of becoming damaged to the extent of rendering them unfit for use. The mounting elements are extraordinarily undamageable.

Another object of the invention is to practicably simplify the manufacture of doors, panels and mounts of the general character herein referred to.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the means described herein and disclosed in the accompanyingdrawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a. cross-sectional view of a finishing or upholstery panel, having mounting elements incorporated in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view of a support, in this case a vehicle door, parts being broken away to show mounting elements cooperative with those of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a, fragmental cross-sectional view of the Fig. 1 panel mounted upon the door of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmental perspective view showing part of the door and its mounting element.

Fig. 5 is a fragmental perspective View of a panel binder strip including a modified form of mounting element.

Fig. 6 is an end view of a panel binder strip including a second modification.

The structure herein illustrated, while um doubtedly capable of other uses, has been found highly effective and desirable in the application of finishing panels to vehicle doors. One of the primary requirements of panel mounts for vehicle doors, is that they be capable of repeated removal and replacement by persons not particularly highly skilled in the refinements of upholstering practices. The panels accordingly are subject to considerable abuse in the attempt to remove and replace them, and for that reason must be constructed to withstand any form of treatment that might beresorted to by persons entertaining widely difierent ideas as to how the panels might best be removed. The most prev:- alent practice in removing panels, is that of prying them oif the door or support, using a screw-driver or. like, implement, whether or not the panel mounts admit of prying or straining in the demounting thereof. Since prying appears to be the prevailing expedient for the demounting of panels, the panel mounts of this invention have been especially designed to respond to pry ing forces, however ill-applied the prying forces might be. Moreover, the structure is designed for reapplication to the support, by the common expedient of hammering the panel into position. The panel upon replacement will be as securely mounted as it was when initially applied, under the teaching herein disclosed.

With reference to the accompanying drawing, the character I2 indicates a metallic vehicle door having an outer or front wall 13, and an inner or rear supporting back [4. The back may extend completely across the door as shown, or it may in some instances be cut away at its center portion so as to-leave a circumferentiating metallic flange boundingthe jamb portions l5 -l5 of the door. In either case, the means of the invention isapplicable, wherefore the nature of th door back is a matter of immateriality to the invention. The door back is to be of metal, or some material possessing the quality of flexibility, in order that tabs orears such as It and I! struck therefrom may be bent into and out of the plane of theback portion upon application of prying or hammering forces thereto. Fig, 2 shows the tabs or ears bent out of the plane of the back l4, whereas Fig. 3 shows them bent into coplanar relationship to the back.

As may best be understood from the Fig. 4 illustration, the back portion 14 of the door, or the panel supporting area thereof, has formed therein two substantially parallel cuts or slits,

bounded by the edges [8 and I9 between which the tabs or cars are located. Each tab or ear has three edges 29, 2! and 22, and a bend indicated at 23 which constitutes a rather stiff hinge. The opposed edges 28--2G of the tabs or cars are at all times spaced apart, that is, they do not meet when the tabs or ears are flattened or bent into the plane of the back M (see Fig. 3). Before application of a panel, the tabs or ears are disposed at an .angle to one another not substantially less than 90 degrees, and may preferably be at a somewhat greater angle to one another, in order to ensure their flexing to a substantially coplanar position when bent toward the back It by force applied against their edges 2 5-26 perpendicularly to the back [4.

The tabs or ears have their edges -40 :so I

spaced apart initially, as to freely receive between them the mounting element 24 carried by the finishing panel. As herein disclosed by way of example, the composite finishing panel may be constituted of a board 25, which may be of pressed paper .or composition material, bounded along its edges by a binder strip 25 which preferably is of metal. To themetallic binder strip is welded, or otherwise fixedly secured, the mounting element 24. In the preferred and most desirable construction, the mounting element 24 is spot-welded to one leg 2'! of the binder strip, this being a rapid and accurate operation as compared with other modes of fastening. The weld is at the point 28.

"The edges of the board or panel piece 25 are preferably embraced between the spaced parallel legs 21 and 29 of the panel binder strip, and may be held in place by frictional contact or other- .wise. A sheet 36 of fabric, leather, or other suitable covering material usually is applied to the panel and has its edges turned under the panel and against the leg 2! of the binder strip, as at 131, where it may contact the mounting element 2!.

In the preferred form of the invention, the mounting element 24 is a ball of steel or other suitable metal, fastened by rapid spot-welding method to the binder strip at 28. The ball at its great circle, or diameter, is slightly smaller than the space between the opposed edges 20-41} of the tabs or ears when the latter are disposed to one another at an angle not substantially less than a right angle. The length of the tabs or ears preferably should be such that when they are 'bent to the substantially coplanar relationship of Fig. 3, their edges 2!! will remain in contact with the ball at points intermediate the weld 2B and that diametral plane which is parallel to the ,panel or to the back H5. These contact points are clearly shown in Fig. '3, and it will be understccd that the connection so established will preclude rattle and vibration, and will main tain the panel tightly against the back M of the deer. The tightness of the joint thus formed holds the edges of the cover sheet 135 securely "in place.

To detach the panel from the door back, it :is necessary only to insert a prying implement into the 'joint at of Fig. 3, for lifting the panel and its attached mounting element24 away from the back M, whereupon the ears or lugs It and 'I'! will be bent outwardly to substantially the Fig. 1 position. To re-apply the panel, the ball 24 is to be inserted between the ears or tabs, and when the edges fifild thereof reach the binder strip,

a sharp blow directed against the outer face of the panel will cause the binder strip leg 2'! to perform as an anvil in bending the ears or tabs substantially to the coplanar position of Fig. 3. Under the impact of the blow, that portion of the fabric cover material 36 which is turned under the binder strip at the joint 32, will obviously be squashed or compressed to a negligible thickness, while the ears or tabs I6l I assume the substantially coplanar relationship, all as indicated by Fig. 3.

Whenever it may be necessary to do so, the ears or tabs may be angularly adjusted preparatory to application of a panel, by bending them slightly with the aid of hammer, pliers, or the prying tool used in detaching the panel.

In the Fig. 5 modification, the character I26 indicates the binder strip, to which is spot-welded or otherwise fixed the mounting element 33, which as shown may be in the form of a truncated cone. The mounting element 33 obviously will perform the function of the ball of Fig. 3 in holding the panel to the support area it.

In the modification of Fig. 6, the mounting element is shown as a rivet or the like having a head 34 and a reduced shank 35 against which the ears or tabs may impinge for holding the panel in place. While the mounting element t l-5 is here represented as being attached to the mounting strip 226 by peening its end at '35, it should be understood that welding or other means of fastening might be employed.

It will of course, be apparent that the several modifications herein disclosed are suggestive of other and equivalent structures that may be used in practicing the teaching of this disclosure, many variations being possible in the shape of the mounting element carried by the panel.

Attention should be directed to the fact that the performance of the mounting means of the invention does not in any manner depend upon resiliency or springiness of any parts. The use of special materials and additional manufacturing operations, is thereby avoided. As will be understood, the ears or tabs may be formed in the same press operation that forms the back and jamb of the door. The attaching of the spherical mounting elements to the binder strips is an automatic continuous spot-welding operation performed by machine.

' 'What is claimed is:

1. The combination which comprises an apertu-red support, a pair of bendable tabs integral with the support for hinged movement into the aperture, and angularly from the aperture in a common direction away from the support, said tabs having complementary opposed edges spaced apart sufiiciently to provide an opening between them when the tabs are bent to substantially coplanar relationship within the aperture of the support, and a panel to overlie the support, including an extending mounting element fixed to the panel and having an area of maximum width approximating the distance between the opposed edges of the tabs when angularly related, and an area of lesser width approximating the distance between said opposed edges of the tabs when substantially coplanar to one another, said area of lesser width being located intermediate the point of fixation of the mounting element to the panel, and said area of maximum width.

2. The combination which comprises an aper tured support having angularly disposed thereon a pair of bendable tabs bent at the apertur of the support in a common direction away from the support, said tabs having complementary opposed edges spaced apart sufficiently to provide an opening between them when the tabs are bent to substantially coplanar relationship within the aperture of the support, and a panel to overlie the support, including an extending rigid and inflexible mounting element in the form of a substantially spherical body fixed to the panel and having an area of maximum width approximating the distance between the opposed edges of the tabs when angularly related, and an area of lesser width approximating the distance between said opposed edges of the tabs when substantially cplanar to one another, said area of lesser width being located intermediate the point of fixation of the mounting element to the panel, and said area of maximum width.

,3. The combination which comprises a support having angularly disposed thereon a pair of bendable tabs bent in a common direction away from the support, said tabs having complementary opposed edges spaced apart sufliciently to provide an aperture between them when the tabs are bent to substantially coplanar relationship, and a flat panel to overlie the support, a rigid substantially spherical mounting element and means for securing said element to the panel in extending relationship beyond the plane of the panel, said spherical mounting element being of a diameter approximating the space between the opposed edges of the tabs when the tabs are bent angularly away from the support as stated, said tabs being of such length that the opposed edges thereof will substantially main' tain contact with the spherical mounting element when the tabs are bent to a substantially coplanar relationship, with the panel resting flatwise against the support.

- 4. The combination which comprises an apertured support having angularly disposed thereon a pair of bendable tabs bent in a common direc tion away from the support, said tabs having complementary opposed edges spaced apart sulficiently to provide an aperturezbetween them when the tabs are bent to substantially coplanar relationship, and a panel to overlie th support, a rigid substantially spherical mounting element rigidly attached to the panel, said spherical mounting element being of a diameter approximating the space between the opposed edges of the tabs when the tabs are bent angularly away from the support as stated, said tabs being of such length that the opposed edges thereof will substantially maintain contact with the spherical mounting element when the tabs are bent to a substantially coplanar relationship, with the panel resting against the support.

5. lhe combination which comprises an apertured substantially planar support of flexible but substantially non-resilient metal, a pair of bendable tabs adjacent to the aperture of the support, and having opposed free edges and each tab having a line of bending at which the tabs incline toward one another at an angle not subof the tabs being spaced apart sufiiciently to provide an opening between them'when thetabs are bent along their lines of bending, and into the aperture of the support, to assume a substantially coplanar relationship with the support, a panel to overlie the support, an extending mounting element fixed to the panel and having an area of maximum breadth approximating the distance between the opposed edges of the tabs when an-gularly related as stated, and having an area of lesser breadth approximating the distance between the tabs when substantially coplanar to one another, said area of lesser breadth being located intermediate the point of fixation of the stantially less than a right angle, said free edges mounting element to the panel, and said area of maximum breadth.

. '6. The combination which comprises a support of flexible but substantially non-resilient metal, punched to provide a pair of bendable tabs having opposed free edges and each tab having a line of bending at which the tabs incline toward one another at an angle not substantially less than a. right angle, said free edges of the tabs bein spaced apart sufliciently to provide an aperture between them when the tabs are bent along their lines of bending to assume a coplanar relationship, a panel to overlie the support, a rigid substantially spherical mounting element attached to the panel, said mounting element having a diameter approximating the space between the opposed edges of the tabs when the tabs are bent angularly to one another as stated, said tabs being of such length that the opposed edges thereof will substantially maintain contact with the spherical mounting element when the tab are bent to a substantially coplanar relationship, with the panel resting against the support. 7. A vehicle door upholstery assembly adapte for repeated application and displacement of an upholstery panel, which comprises in combination: a door having an apertured sheet metal back, and a front wall spaced from said back, the apertures of the back being spaced apart at intervals to receive a series of panel mounting elements, a pair of opposed bendable tabs at each ofsaid apertures, said tabs being integral with the back for hinged movement into an adjacent aperture, and for displacement from said aperture at an angle in a direction away from the front wall of the door, the tabs of each pair having complementary opposed free edges spaced apart sufliciently to provide an opening between them when the tabs are bent to substantially coplanar relationship within their associated aperture, an upholstery panel to overlie the back of the door in covering relationship to all of the apertures and tabs, a series of extending mounting elements fixed to one face of the panel in spaced correspondency with the apertures of the door back, said mounting elements each having a region of maximum width approximating the distance between the opposed edges of the tabs when bent to an angle as aforesaid, and having a region of lesser width intermediate the first mentioned region and the point of fixation of the mounting element upon the upholstery panel, said region of lesser width being located to engage the opposed 'free edges of a pair of tabs when the tabs'are bent to substantially coplanar relationship with the door back incident to forceful application of the panel flatwise against the back with the mounting elements received in the door back apertures.

8. A vehicle door upholstery assembly adapted for repeated application and displacement of an upholstery panel, which comprises in combination: a door having an apertured sheet metal back, and a front wall spaced from aid back, the apertures of the back being spaced apart at intervals to receive a series of panel mounting elements, a pair of opposed bendable tabs at each of said apertures, said tabs being integral with the back for hinged movement intoan adjacent aperture, and for displacement from aid aperture at an angle in a direction away from, the front wall of the door, the tabs of each pair having complementary opposed free edges spaced apart sufficiently to provide an opening between them when the tabs are bent to substantially coplanar relationship within their associated aperture, an upholstery panel to overlie the back of the door in covering relationship to all of the apertures and tabs, a series of extending mounting element fixed to one face of the panel in spaced correspondency with the apertures of the door back, said mounting elements each having a region of maximum width approximating the distance between the opposed edges of the tabs when bentto an angle as aforesaid, and having a region of lesser width intermediate the first mentioned region and the point of fixation of the mounting element upon the upholstery panel, said region of lesser width being located to engage the opposed free edges of a pair of tabs when the tabs are bent to substantially coplanar relationship with the door back incident to forceful application of the panel fiatwise against the back with the mounting elements received in the door back apertures, and anvil means on th up holstery panel adjacent to each mounting element, for so bending the tabs into their respective apertures. I

9. A vehicle door upholstery assembly adapted for repeated application and displacement of an upholstery panel, which comprises in combination: a, door having an apertured sheet metal back, and a front wall spaced from said back, the apertures of the back being spaced apart at intervals to receive a series of panel mounting elements, a pair of opposed bendable tabs at each of said apertures, said tabs being integral with the back for hinged movement into an adjacent aperture, and for displacement from said aperture at an angle in a direction away from the front wall of the door, the tabs of each pair having complementary opposed free edges spaced apart sufiiciently to provide an opening between them when the tabs are bent to substantially coplanar relationship within their associated aperture, an upholstery panel to overlie the back of the door in covering relationship to all of the apertures and tabs, a seriesof extending ball elements fixed to one face of the panel in spaced correspondency with the apertures of the door back, said ball elements being of a diameter approximating the space between opposed free edges of the tabs when the tabs are bent to said angular relationship with the door back, the size of the ball elements being so gauged to the length of the tabs, as to maintain substantial contact between the ball elements and the free edges of the tabs when the tabs are bent to substantial coplanar relationship with the door back incident to forceful application of the panel flatwise against the back, with the ball elements projected more than half way through the door back apertures.

10. A vehicle door upholstery assembly adapted for repeated application and displacement of an upholstery panel, which comprises in combination: a door having an apertured sheet metal back, and a front wall spaced from said back, the apertures of the back being spaced apart at intervals to receive a series of panel mounting elements, a pair of opposed bendable tabs at each of said apertures, said tabs being integral With the back for hinged movement into an adjacent aperture, and for displacement from said aperture at an angle in a direction away from the front wall of the door, the tabs of each pair having complementary opposed free edges spaced apart sufliciently to provide an opening between them when the tabs are bent to substantially coplanar relationship within their associated aperture, an upholstery panel to overlie the back of the door in covering relationship to all of the apertures and tabs, a series of extending ball elements fixed to one face of the panel in spaced correspondency with the apertures of the door back, said ball elements being of a diameter approximating the space between opposed free edges of the tabs when the tabs are bent to said angular relationship with the door back, the size of the ball elements being so gauged to the length of the tabs, as to maintain substantial contact between the ball elements and the free edges of "the tabs when the tabs are bent to substantial coplanar relationship with the door back incident to forceful application of the panel fiatwise against the back, with the ball elements projected more than half way through the door back apertures, and anvil means on the upholstery panel adjacent to each ball element, for so bending the tabs into their respective apertures.

11. A vehicle door upholstery panel assembly adapted for repeated application and displacement of an upholstery panel, which comprises in combination: a door having an apertured sheet metal back, and a front wall spaced from said back, the apertures of the back being spaced apart at intervals to receive therein a series of panel mounting elements, tab means at each aperture, formed integrally with the sheet metal back of the door and bent initially at an angle to said back, said tab means having a free edge projected away from the front wall of the door and in overlying relationship to the aperture, said tab means being foreshortened in length to define a constricted opening when the tab means is bent toward the front wall and to substantially coplanar relationship with the door back, an upholstery panel to overlie the back of the door in covering relationship to all of the apertures and their corresponding tab means, a series of extending mounting elements fixed to one face of the panel in spaced correspondency with the apertures of the door back, said mounting elements each having a region of maximum size approximating the distance between an edge of an aperture and the free edge of a tab means when the latter is bent at an angle to the door back as aforesaid, each mounting element having its size reduced in the direction of its point of fixation upon the upholstery panel, said reduced portion being located to engage the free edge of the tab means when the latter is bent to substantially coplanar relationship with the door back incident to forceful application of the panel flatwise against the back with the mounting ele ments received in the door back apertures, as said apertures are constricted as stated, to preclude withdrawal of the mounting elements.

12. A vehicle door upholstery panel assembly adapted for repeated application and displacement of an upholstery panel, which comprises in combination: a door having an apertured sheet metal back, and a front wall spaced from said back, the apertures of the back being spaced apart at intervals to receive therein a series of panel mounting elements, tab means at each aperture, formed integrally with the sheet metal back of the door and bent initially at an angle to said back, said tab means having a free edge projected away from the front wall of the door and in overlying relationship to the aperture, said tab means being foreshortened in length to define a constricted opening when the tab means is bent toward the front wall and to substantially coplanar relationship with the door back, an

upholstery panel to overlie the back of the door in covering relationship to all of the apertures and their corresponding tab means, a series of extending ball elements fixed to one face of the panel in spaced correspondency with the apertures of the door back; said ball elements each being of a diameter approximating the space provided at the aperture when the tab means is bent to said angular relationship with the door back, the size of the ball elements being so gauged 

